All the World's a Stage

My daughter Becca has a part in her school’s Spring musical. The musical is ‘Beauty and the Beast” and she is both a village person (not to be confused with the Village People) and a dancing plate. It is a bit part although she does have a single line. “He is always good for a laugh.” If you go, do not miss that line. It is sweet. I went to opening night. It was maybe 15 minutes into the play when Becca came on stage the first time. She has a dazzling smile and she had upped the wattage for the occasion. I watched her and only her the whole time she was on stage. I do not know what happened in the rest of the play or what all of them were doing out there with “the smile.” I was enthralled with my own daughter. As far as I was concerned, the star was the plate whose smile melted my heart. It made me wonder how God feels toward me. When I tell people over and over again that God loves you more deeply than you can imagine, is that the way it is? If Jesus was in a play, I have to believe God the Father would be straining to see His son, and when he saw Him, I can imagine Him nudging those around him and saying, “That one is mine. He is really something isn’t he?” And the scripture says that when God looks at me he looks at me as if I was Jesus. I am adopted. He has chosen me. So, amazingly enough, I think the way I felt toward Becca opening night is the way the God of the universe felt toward you today. When Shakespeare said, “all the world is a stage,” I don’t think he even had a clue as to what that could really mean.

Closer Than A Brother

I have a son and two daughters. That means that everyone has a sister but my son does not have a brother. Instead he has a best friend named Sherif. Sherif and Jeremy have been friends since second grade. Now that Jeremy lives in Atlanta we don't get to see him as much as we would like. We enjoy it whenever he comes home but nobody gets more excited when Jeremy comes home than Sherif. Jeremy came home this weekend to see the opening night of Beauty and the Beast where his youngest sister decided to become the first Coffey to get involved in theater. She is a plate. Very cool. Anyway, Jeremy was home on Friday and I had him mowing the lawn when Sherif finally got off work and came over. While Jeremy was mowing Sherif walked beside him talking really loud. It was comical to watch. Jeremy mowing away, laughing fairly often, and Sherif walking side by side gesturing and talking away so that all the neighbors could hear. It made me think how great it is that Jeremy has a friend that enjoys him that much. I remember reading the book Blue Like Jazz. The author, Donald Miller, said at one point that it struck him if Jesus was around in person then Jesus would like to hang out with him. It was an epiphany of sorts. Donald Miller had heard for a long time that Jesus loved him but he wasn't ever sure that Jesus liked him. Kind of like a parent who has to love their kid but really can't stand them. But as I watched Sherif hurrying to keep up with Jeremy, excited about spending every minute with him that he could, I wondered if that is the way Jesus really is with us. Imagine Jesus walking around with you as you grocery shop just to spend time with you. Someone who enjoys you so much that he would walk with you as you mowed your lawn. Scripture says there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. Sherif is that for Jeremy and Jesus is that for all the rest of us.

Broken Things

My grass is growing again. This is the time of year it looks great. My lawn has had plenty of water and it is lush and green. I don't mind my grass growing because I have an awesome lawnmower. It it one of those industrial jobs with a platform that is huge and it makes great stripes. Every man I know likes his lawn to have good stripes. My mower causes men to curse in jealousy when they drive by my house. At least that is what I tell myself as I mow. I went out to start my mower the other day. If you know me at all you know I am not very mechanical. By that I mean my wife changes the light bulbs in my house. My mower would not start. Now, it is not because I fail to love it. I already told you that I love that big green machine. I may not have changed the plug (if it has one) or changed the oil (way, way too much trouble), but I still believe it should start each season. It has the whole winter off and now it is time to pull its weight. I don't like it when things break. It frustrates me. I usually don't find out something is broken until I need it and of course I am lousy at fixing anything so the whole idea that the second law of thermodynamics has our universe in a death grip bums me. I realized something reading scripture the other day. God likes broken things. They don't frustrate him the way they frustrate me. Maybe it is because He is so good at fixing them. It seems like the one thing that really does wear God down is a broken thing that won't admit it is broken. Maybe because that is one thing He can't fix. For me, this is more good news. I find it ironic I don't like broken things when I am so broken myself. It seems I ought to find stuff that doesn't work like it should and throw my arm around it and say,"Hey buddy, I know exactly how you feel." So, today I am thankful that there is someone who loves me even more than I love my mower. But more than that even, I am thankful for a God who loves broken things, like broken hearts, and broken relationships, and broken dreams, and broken kids, and broken marriages. And not only does He love those broken things but He is the only one who knows how to fix them. You think on that while I go out and try to start my mower one more time.

On The Road Again

Since all of you are probably on the edge of your chairs waiting to see how the DMV debacle will turn out, I thought I would put you out of your misery and let you get back to your lives. I faxed all the information to Rhode Island which included a copy of my birth certificate, social security card, passport, license, and a notarized letter stating I had not been to Rhode Island. I also included the fax number for Massachusetts since Rhode Island did not have it and Massachusetts told me that Rhode Island would send them a letter allowing them to release the block. Whew! I am glad I got that all out. Moving from state to state that fast exhausts me. Anyway, I called Rhode Island today on my way to the DMV to see if I could clear it up before my license expires. I was on hold again for 35 minutes, arrived at the DMV, explained my situation and was given a Columbus number to call. I hung up on Rhode Island since all their agents were wildly busy, and called Columbus where an agent answered on the second ring. Yeah, Ohio. The agent told me that she really couldn't help me since the names, while they are spelled differently, sounded the same. I asked if the police officer filled out the ticket and spelled the name phonetically. I think I lost her. The deputy of the DMV office I was in came out and happened to be someone who has attended Hudson Chapel off and on. Very cool. He started calling around and while I was on hold with Columbus, gave me the thumbs up signal that he had figured out how to unblock me. He must have called the computer geek from The Italian Job (the original Napster for you movie buffs). Anyway, in 5 minutes I walked out with my new license and have never felt more joy walking out of a DMV. I like it when God does something that makes you grateful that just a couple of days and a few hours of inconvenience ago I would have never noticed. I am also glad he plants his people in the most unlikely places to help in time of need. God is good and I am back on the road as long as I stay away from those pesky northeastern states that without a doubt already have an APB out for me. Luckily I think they will be looking for a Joe Quofee and as long as they mispronounce it I am safe as safe can be.

The DMV and the Gospel

Every four years I have to go to the BMV (formerly the DMV) to get my license renewed. My birthday is coming up later this week so this was my time. I went down, stood in line, stepped up, handed over my license, and was told I had been "blocked". I wasn't exactly sure what that meant. Evidently, the state of Massachusetts had put a block on my renewal. I was told I needed to call the DMV in Massachusetts to clear it up. I called and was put on hold for 1 hour and 40 minutes. When I finally spoke with someone other than the recorder that told me every 55 seconds that all agents were busy (the recording did thank me for my patience which ended up being presumptive on their part), I was told that a Joseph A. Colfee had been pulled over with a Rhode Island license and had not paid his ticket. I asked what that had to do with me. They said I had the same birthday. Oh, of course, that makes perfect sense. He then informed me that I had to call Rhode Island to clear it up. I called Rhode Island and after 40 minutes on hold (the recorded voice came over every 18 seconds) I was told I needed to fax a copy of my birth certificate, a copy of my Social Security card, and a notarized letter saying that I had never been to Rhode Island. I am not making this up. I have yet to be unblocked. I came to the office and shared the story and one of my co-workers immediately said,"Wow, so I guess the Gospel had a chance to go deep yesterday." He said it in jest but it was a great thing to say. It has taken me a whole day to figure out what the Gospel has to do with all of this. I have an amazing capacity for self-righteousness. I am completely and utterly flabbergasted when I am innocent and treated as guilty or inconvenienced because of no fault of my own. The Gospel reminds me that it is not justice I need. I need mercy and lots of it. Even more mercy than the DMV in 3 different states. That one comment about the Gospel going deep has changed the way I am approaching this whole ordeal. The more I am pinched by injustice the more I will remember grace and then even if I end up driving to Rhode Island I will have something to be thankful about every mile. Oh, yeah, I suppose I will be flying since my license runs out Sunday.

Georgia on My MInd

Yesterday I was on my way home from Florida with my family. It was really unusual for me to be gone between Palm Sunday and Easter but my daughter is a senior in High School and everything has that "last time" feel to it this year. Anyway, we hit Atlanta and so did a flurry of storms. We sat waiting for a connection that never came. Our first connection was cancelled at 10pm so we got on the phone and on another connection. There was some urgency since I had a funeral I was privileged to be asked to do and Easter weekend starts later this afternoon. Our second flight was cancelled at 2am this morning so we ended up overnight in Atlanta and Jim Colledge was able to fill in and serve the family that was having the funeral. We flew out early this morning. I spent some time walking around Atlanta airport. It was fascinating to watch how different people responded to what was going on. I talked to a young airman who was on a 72 hour leave and was watching it run through his hands like sand. Others struggled with young children. I wear a band around my wrist that has three words on it. To-In-Through. It is to remind me that everything that happens to me is so God can do something in me so later he can work through me. It was a good reminder last night. I watched the airline personnel try to calm people and help them. They were ridden hard last night and put away wet (that is what my Mom used to say. She is from the south). I walked all the way down our Concourse looking at people and wondering how many were followers of Jesus. I wondered if all the followers of Jesus made things easier on the airline people. I think Jesus would have for sure so it makes sense that we would. I am not sure it happened. If it did happen I thought it would be cool if all the followers wore something that identified us so the airline people would know who to thank. Then I thought it might even be better if we didn't wear anything special but eventually the airline people caught on that there was a whole group of people who responded differently to being inconvenienced, who even went out of their way to help make things better. I sat there watching people and twisting my wrist band, thinking about Easter and hoping that all the world was noticing the difference the risen Christ made the moment he emerged from the tomb and the difference he has been making ever since even in a jammed up airport in Georgia.

The Cross

Today is Good Friday. I am still on vacation so instead of thinking about a service or working I will be traveling back and thinking about the Cross. The Cross has become the most recognized and the most popular religious symbol in the world. What is it about the ancient Roman form of execution that has captured the affection of even the most profligate rock musician? The Cross is where my Savior died. It is a symbol of slaughter, of separation, of cruelty, of judgment, of redemption, and of forgiveness. The Cross is where my Savior died. "If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me" he said. I have come running to the Cross. It is a gruesome sight. A body nailed to a tree yet still alive...writhing. The deeper pain is the ripping of relationship between Father and Son. The loneliness of the Cross swallowing Jesus alive. The Cross is where my Savior died. Finally, the scream of completion. "It is finished". Triumphant? Relief? Like a marathon runner lurching over the finish line? But it is there, at that moment my soul leaps. Like the baby in the womb of Elizabeth so my soul leaps because of a transfer at the very throne of God. A transfer of sin for righteousness, of righteousness for sin. My life, my heart for his life, for his heart. And that is why we call it Good Friday. Because today is when my Savior gave himself for me. Behold the cross. It is where my Savior died.

An Early Easter Present

I was sent these passages of scripture from a friend to help prepare for Easter. They have been a great gift to meditate on and have been ringing in my ears and my soul ever since they arrived on my Blackberry. I give them to you now as an Easter gift.
"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. For God was pleased to have all the fullness dwell in him and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation." Colossians 1:15-16,19-22

"Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang, 'Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise'. Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: 'To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!' The four living creatures said,'Amen.'" Revelation 5:11-14

Amen

Vacation

Hi Bloggerbuddies,
I am on vacation this week and will not be blogging until next week. I hope and pray you are able to prepare well for Holy Week. There is nothing quite like Resurrection Sunday in all the world. "He is risen just like He said" have got to be the sweetest words ever spoken or heard. Blessings, Joe